Balayya, who was a native of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, had acted in over 350 films. He had pursued Mechanical Engineering and worked as a lecturer before making his acting debut with the film Ettuku Pai Ettu released in 1958.
After acting in several films, he produced his first film in 1971 – Chelleli Kapuram – starring Sobhan Babu, Vanisri and Sharada.
Stating that Balayya was a brilliant actor who had acted not just with his father, NT Rama Rao, but also with him, he said that both their families enjoyed a good relationship.